Former senator and now minority bloc member Panfilo Lacson firmly rejected allegations linking the Senate minority to an alleged campaign to alter the chamber’s leadership in preparation for constitutional amendments. He dismissed the narrative as fabricated and detached from the actual discussions within their group.
According to Lacson, the issue of convening a constituent assembly, commonly referred to as con-ass, was never raised during meetings of the minority bloc. He stressed that their caucuses consistently revolved around institutional concerns and legislative priorities, not political maneuvers aimed at revising the Constitution.
The veteran lawmaker described the accusations as baseless and challenged those spreading the claims to present concrete evidence. He maintained that no internal conversations within the minority bloc touched on plans related to charter change or efforts to extend the terms of incumbent national officials.
Lacson also clarified the current direction of the so-called Mythical 11, the informal label associated with the Senate minority. Rather than focusing on leadership struggles, he said the bloc’s central objective is rebuilding public trust in the Senate, an institution he believes has suffered reputational damage in recent years.
He emphasized that restoring credibility should take precedence over political conflicts surrounding Senate leadership. For the minority bloc, preserving the integrity and dignity of the Upper Chamber remains the primary concern.
The statement came after Senator Imee Marcos alleged that an attempt to arrest Senator Ronald dela Rosa formed part of a broader political strategy tied to control of the Senate. She claimed certain groups were allegedly pursuing leadership changes to create momentum for constitutional amendments through a constituent assembly.
Marcos further suggested that the proposed constitutional revisions could include extending the terms of senior government officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr..
Lacson’s rebuttal highlights the widening political divide within the Senate as competing narratives emerge over leadership, constitutional reform, and the future direction of the chamber. While accusations continue to circulate, the minority bloc insists its attention remains fixed on institutional credibility rather than political engineering.
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